The Ice Maze (3)

The Kingdom of the Lost #3

by Isobelle Carmody

Bily and Zluty, the injured Monster and two diggers journey into a land of ice and darkness. Here they find a secret settlement and learn more about the mysterious Makers' plan. But the Monster must make a dreadful choice . . . A magical adventure series for younger readers from the award-winning author of Little Fur.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Audiobook

352 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2020

About the author

Isobelle Carmody began the first novel of her highly acclaimed Obernewtyn Chronicles while she was still in high school. The series has established her at the forefront of fantasy writing in Australia.

In addition to her young-adult novels, such as the Obernewtyn Chronicles and Alyzon Whitestarr, Isobelle's published works include several middle-grade fantasies. Her still-unfinished Gateway Trilogy has been favorably compared to The Wizard of Oz and the Chronicles of Narnia. The Little Fur quartet is an eco-fantasy starring a half-elf, half-troll heroine and is fully illustrated by the author herself.

Isobelle's most recent picture book, Magic Night, is a collaboration with illustrator Declan Lee. Originally published in Australia as The Wrong Thing, the book features an ordinary housecat who stumbles upon something otherworldly. Across all her writing, Isobelle shows a talent for balancing the mundane and the fantastic.

Isobelle was the guest of honor at the 2007 Australian National Science Fiction Convention. She has received numerous honors for her writing, including multiple Aurealis Awards and Children's Book Council of Australia Awards.

She currently divides her time between her home on the Great Ocean Road in Australia and her travels abroad with her partner and daughter.

Librarian's note: Penguin Australia is publishing the Obernewtyn Chronicles in six books, and The Stone Key is book five. In the United States and Canada this series is published by Random House in eight books; this Penguin Australia book is split into two parts and published as Wavesong (Book Five) and The Stone Key (Book Six).

Reviews

[Teri B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed to know how the story continues and see the adventures Zluty and Bily face as they enter a world of snow and ice. And I was not disappointed.

Again, the story is meticulously told from the perception of both Zluty and Bily and therefore slow paced. But it is so rich in emotion and links into physical perception with all five senses. Both characters maintain a point of view of being in relation with each other and others and therefore, care and love.

And that is just beautiful to read.

And now, I am looking forward to the next title in this series, The Velvet City. It is announced to be published in 2021.

I listened to the story being read by the author on audio and I just loved listening to her, telling, reading her story.

[Griflet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably for a slightly older reader than the 'Little Fur' series. It is quite long with longish chapters. The illustrations are delightful, and gracious plenty of them. It puts me in mind of the Moomin books and children's fiction from an earlier time.
There is a lot of 'on the road' and travelling and a slower plot than perhaps the current norm but it evokes a quiet wonder and tender sense of place and would be a good read to put by if you are due for hibernation.
Isobelle Carmody's fiction for children is some of her finest work and I wish it was more widely read. Might make the world a better place.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

While slower paced than the previous two books in this series, your attention is still held by the wonderful descriptions and the relationships between Zluty, Bily, the diggers and the monster. The diggers in particular are just delightful. Their speech reminds me of Mr Miyagi or Yoda - "Never stupidness to think before acting."
The reasons for the journey being undertaken are intriguing - the whole world is intriguing. There are so many weird and wonderful concepts and I am fascinated to read the final book to see how all the pieces slot together.

[Nella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope #4 comes out soon.

[Seawood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous two, it's much slower.

[Tina]

Reviewed for Magpies magazine